Purpose

1. Best Practices: Collaborative efforts provided by the dental and medical team with the involvement of the community regarding oral health prevention. Claude Earl Fox, MD, MPH , Florida Public Health Institute/ University of Miami School of Medicine, Lake Worth, FL ,Debora Kerr, MA , Florida Public Health Institute, Lake Worth, FL , Catherine Cabanzon, RDH , Florida Public Health Institute, Lake Worth, FL Claudia A Serna, COA, RDH, MPH, CHES , Florida Public Health Institute, Lake Worth, FL Purpose Goals Need the program is addressing How can be replicable . Provide oral assessment, preventive fluoride varnish application and oral health education to patients at risk for early childhood caries in pediatric practices. Develop a perception among both children and parents that proper oral hygiene is important to good overallhealth in a non-dental setting. Prevent dental caries and build community awareness by working collaboratively with medical and dental professionals. Provided services by the dental hygienist in a pediatrician’s office ,such as: 1. Oral health assessment and dental charting provided to all patient after the first tooth erupts. 2. Topical fluoride varnish treatmentsand education centered around protective qualities of fluoride. 3. Nutrition counseling provided to both child and parent. 4. Referral to a dental home and education regarding child's first time dental visit. 5. Provide overall oral health support to the medical team to work collaboratively with the dentist to prevent future oral health disparities by decreasing dental decay. Pediatricians have an important role in promoting oral health. This new medical dental partnership will provide a valuable and accurate resource for early oral health prevention for both the medical professional and the community. This innovate collaborative effort at the pediatrician’s office during children check ups can be adopted to support providers in the delivering of oral health preventive services. Oral health prevention for patients in the medical setting will decrease future dental disease. By using a dental professional trained in preventive care, good oral habits and a dental home can be established early in life. Results achieved Provision of oral health care and effective health education in a pediatric practice by a team process showed an example of how working together as health professionals can improve children's oral health. These collaborative efforts made a significant change and raised awareness on the importance of oral health and early intervention by parents, children and community. Contact Information Florida Public Health Institute1622 N Federal Highway, Suite BLake Worth, Florida 33460 P: 561.533.7909F: 561.533.7966